Shoe upper shaper



Sept.

B. w. FREEMAN 63 SHOE UPPER SHAPER Filed July 11, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet l un I v Sept, 26, 1939, B. w. FREEMAN I SHOE'UPPER SHAPER Filed July 11, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ILIII ll 3mm ABuyizml'r-lfir -eemcow,

' Y Q :vvo rM/ Guam Sept. 26, 1939.

B. W. FREEMAN SHOE UPPER SHAPER Filed July 11, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Sept. 26, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 42 Claims.

The present invention relates to shoe machinery and specifically to a shoe upper shaper designed to form and shape the upper of a shoe, to smooth the back and sides thereof, and to impart a finish thereto.

More particularly, the herein described invention is directed to improvements and modifications of shoe upper shapers of the type described in United States patents to Ruff et al. No. 1,334,968, dated March 30, 1920, and to Freeman et al. No. 1,720,891, dated July 16, 1929.

The improvements are primarily in the shaping unit or head of the upper shaper, which includes the iron or pressing form, and the clamping or pressure applying means associated therewith, and in this connection reference is made to copending applications, Serial No. 730,664, filed June 14, 1934, and Serial No. 748,957, filed October 18, 1934, which disclose an 20 upper shaping unit of the general design herein described and the use of such a unit both as a hand-operated device and as a power actuated machine.

No matter how carefully shoes are made or 25 the uppers of shoes are cut, fitted or lasted, manufacturing processes tend to produce a gaping of the quarters, wrinkling or roughness at the seams, and similar faults diflicult to eradicate after the shoe is completed. This is particularly 330 true when it is considered that the shoe is not removed from its last, until it is practically complete.

Accordingly, a principal object of this invention is the provision of means to so shape the finished upper as to eliminate such faults, and to impart a finish to the quarters of a shoe, by smoothing out the back seam and lining and setting up the quarters.

To this end, there is provided a form of novel shape, arranged to accommodate and support virtually all parts of an upper, and provision is also made for the application of pressure to parts of the upper, which the prior art apparently thought, required no special treatment.

Another object contemplates the shaping and pressing of the various portions of the upper, simultaneously, in a single operation.

Heretofore, even with careful operators, it has been difficult to avoid the formation of new wrinkles across and adjacent the throat of the vamp, in some types of shoe, during the operation of removing Wrinkles from other portions of the upper. This is due largely to the fact that usually the tongue of the shoe is bent outwardly when the shoe is placed on the form, thus distorting the vamp, Another object then is the provision of a structure in which such wrinkles will not be produced even in the hands of an unskilled operator.

A still further object elates to the accommo- 6 dation of buckles on shoes equipped therewith.

A preferred embodiment of the invention, as described herein, is well adapted to the shaping and pressing of all kinds of low-cut shoes, such as pumps, and oxfords of various styles, whether 10 equipped with buckles, and tongues or not.

Provision is made also, to prevent any possibility of the tongue of an oxford being doubled back or caught between the clamping or pressing device and the form or iron which supports the 15 shoe.

As different styles of uppers are shaped in the machine, it frequently becomes necessary to shift the point of pressure, and while the present invention contemplates inclusion of the means for localizing pressures, as described in the aforesaid patents and applications, in addition thereto adjustments are provided by means of which the clamping or pressing members may be shifted to vary the point at which pressures are applied, as a different means of accomplishing similar results.

It will be understood that the unit herein described may be used on a standard or turret exactly as described in Patent No. 1,720,891, and in the applications referred to, but inasmuch as the present improvements reside solely in the unit, the details of the standard and turret are not included here.

If the improved unit is used for hand opera- 5 tions, then the individual actuating means described in Patent No. 1,720,891, or in Serial No. 730,664, may be connected and if power is to be applied, then the power means of Serial No. 748,957 will be applied. The unique arrangement of parts whereby applied pressures against the shoes or a shoe element are equalized and evenly distributed is the same as described in said applications, and hence not detailed here.

To the attainment of the foregoing and other objects which will appear as the description proceeds, reference may be made to the accompanying sheets of drawings in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the improved upper shaping unit;

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the ironing form by itself;

Fig. 4 is a face View thereof.

It will be understood that the general prm- 55 ciple of operation will be quite similar to disclosures of the Freeman Patent No. 1,720,891, mentioned above, the improvements herein being by way of variation in the structural shape and adaptability of the pressing head unit, which unit is interchangeable with the units disclosed in said patent.

Referring more specifically to the drawings in which like reference numerals designate like parts, it will be observed that the assembly comprises generally a body portion In, terminating at one end in a plug housing I l, which is adapted for insertion in the turret or main frame of the machine. An electric plug having terminals I2 is enclosed by the housing H and will plug in a suitable socket in the machine whereby to establish a circuit through the usual heating element (not shown) in the shoe form. The housing II is suitably recessed at I3 toaccommodate the usual set screw by means of which the entire unit will be rigidly held in position. The shoe receiving form or iron M extends from the opposite or outer end of the body 10 and comprises a contoured member, hereinafter described.

Extending laterally from the bracket or arm iii are a pair of lugs I 5-|5, having slots l6l6,' angularly disposed to the axis of the unit and adapted for the reception of pivot pins l'L-l'l. The pivot pins may be adjusted throughout the length of the respective slots l6. Each of the pivot pins I! is formed with an enlarged, eccentric upper portion, to form adjustable hinges for the clamping arms l8-l 8, the pin receiving openings in the arms being of greater diameter than the width of the slots l6l6, in order to accommodate the eccentric portions of the stud.

A dual adjustment is thus provided, by means of which the arc of movement of the arms [8 may be varied, and the angle of pressure as well as the degree of pressure applied to a shoe upper, adjusted.

The arms l8 each terminate in a wing-shaped pressing or clamping member I9, preferably, though not essentially, integral therewith. Each wing is desirably encased in a detachable slipper 20, of soft material, which functions to protect the surface of the shoe upper on the form and also to enclose a pad of yieldable material shaped to localize pressure against selected portions of the shoe upper, as described in my prior patents.

Slidably mounted in a channel or track 2|, along the top of the body I0, is an actuator block 22, to the forward end of which is pivoted a yoke 23. This yoke serves to connect a pair of links 24-24 to each other, the outer ends of the links being in turn pivotedly connected as at 25-25 to the respective arms Ill-48. The block, yoke, and links form a toggle for moving the levers l8|8 toward and from the form M, as the block 22 slides in its track, and also serve as a positive connection between the two arms. The yoke arrangement permits a movement of the heads or wings l9 transversely of the form M as a unit, in addition to the main clampingmovement of the wings, wherein the wings move toward and from each other, and thus the wings will automatically equalize the pressures applied to the opposite sides of the form, i. e., the arms l8 will shift together laterally of the form to a position where pressure as applied to the work on one side will be equal to that applied on the other side, regardless of any difference in thickness of the work on one side over that on the other side.

A compression spring 26 is placed at the rear end of the actuator block, its function being to mainain the block normally in its forward position, thus spacing the wings from the form, except when actually in use. A cover plate 21 may be placed over the track and toggle mechanism to protect same against dirt and injury, and to hold the parts in place.

A gauge finger 28 is mounted on the body I5, to determine and limit the position of the shoe upper on the form. By pushing the back or top edge of the upper against the gauge, the shoe can be accurately positioned on the form. This gauge is adjustably mounted for movement to ward and from the form I4, in a post 29 which is adjustable up and down, whereby the gauge may accommodate any style of shoe.

A cradle formed by a pair of curved arms 3fi3il connected by a strut beneath the body It, is pivoted on trunnions 3|, located at the lower part of the body It], and serves to actuate the sliding block 22, a cross shaft 32 extending through the block and having its outer ends engaged by slots 33 in the upper part of each arm 30, being provided to connect the cradle to the block.

The operation of the mechanism just described is believed to be clear and does not vary from that described in my aforesaid applications, the structure itself being quite similar. The shoe upper will be placed over the form with the sole facing outwardly or toward the operator and the heel at the upper portion of the form. The actuation of the cradle arms 30 will move the block 22 rearwardly, drawing the arms I8 and wings l9 together until they engage the upper on the form,

The form or iron [4 is hollow, to receive a heating element (not shown), and is provided on its outer face with a block of fibre or suitable thermal insulation 34 spaced from. the body of the form proper by a gasket 35 of asbestos or the like, whereby to protect the interior of the shoe.

As stated above, the primary object of this invention is to finish shoes by the removal of wrinkles, shrinking the lining, smoothing the seams, and generally shaping the upper.

Prior to the pressing operation, the shoe is carefully treed, such that no wrinkles appear across or adjacent the vamp, but it has been found in practice, that unless provision is made to care for the situation, wrinkles may form across and adja cent the throat of the vamp during the shaping operation on the rest of the upper. This is due to the fact that application of pressure to the quarters of the shoe tends to produce wrinkles through the vamp throat, unless the vamp and toe of the shoe are adequately supported. Again, if an operator is not extremely careful, and by the use of care necessarily slowed down, additional wrinkles will be produced at various points in the vamp and quarters, due to bending back of the tongue of the shoe (where an oxford is being shaped) and possible inaccurate placement of the shoe on the form.

Elimination of these possibilities, and the production of a fool proof device which may be rapidly operated, even by relatively unskilled labor, form an important feature of the present invention. To this end, the form. is provided with an extension below the normal or conventional lower end as indicated at 36, this projection is angularly disposed rearwardly, at an angle approximating the spring of an upper, i. e., the angle assumed by the center line through the vamp when the upper is closed, and the cross sectional dimension of the projection is slightly reduced from the widest part of the form. A second projection 31 is located rearwardly thereof, the two projections forming a notch or recess 38 therebetween. The cross sectional dimension of the form is progressively reduced from front to rear. The form thus approximates the shape desired in the finished upper, and by the projection 36, furnishes a smooth fitting support for the vamp throat, such that the tongue of an oxford may be bent out of the way without wrinkling the vamp. The notch 38 accommodates the base of the tongue, without distorting the upper, while the projection 31 holds the rest of the tongue out of position where it might interfere with pressing operations, and prevents it from being caught between the pressure applying means and the form. If found necessary, an additional guard may utilized to hold the tongue out of the way, but usually the projection 31 will be found suflicient.

When buckle shoes are being shaped, the notch 38 readily accommodates the buckle, with no distortion of the upper. Likewise, this notch facilitates insertion in shoes which are closed at the throat, as pumps.

The area indicated at M-a nicely accommodates the forward portion of the quarters, such that they may be pressed and shaped along with the remainder or rear portions of the shoes. This area is particularly adapted and designed to permit complete pressing of the flies of a lace shoe without leaving lines or marks.

The wings or pressing members l9 are similarly shaped to press the various portions of the upper, and while narrow at their tops where they engage heel portions of the upper, theyare widened at the bottom to overlie the areas l4-a, and thereby press the quarters.

Having thus described the invention, the operation thereof will be readily apparent. The arms I8 will be adjusted by means of the adjustable pivot pins l1, to such a point in their respective slots I6 as to provide the proper application of pressure to the sides of the form 14. Shifting the pivot point of an arm along the slot I6 changes the location of the points at which greatest pressures will be applied. A shoe is then placed on the form, heel up, sole out, the arms I 8 actuated and the shaping is thus effected.

From the foregoing, it will be quite evident that the improved unit as described will accommodate pumps, oxfords, in which problems of wrinkling in the vamp and in the forward portions of the quarters occur, and in fact, will accommodate any type of low-cut shoe, being therefore, universal in its application, and that its design ensures rapid, accurate work.

This device is well adapted also, in addition to use on new shoes, to repair and rebuilding jobs, wherein a used shoe may be reshaped to look like new.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing description of a preferred form is but illustrative and not to be construed as limiting other than as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In a shoe upper shaper, a form shaped to facilitate an operation upon a shoe upper, cooperating outer pressing means pivotally mounted to bear against such form, and adjusting means for the pivotal mounting effective to vary the amount and location of applied pressures between said pressing means and form.

2. In a shoe upper shaper, a form adapted to fit within a shoe and shaped to facilitate an operation upon the upper thereof, means to apply localized pressures against different portions of said form, means to equalize pressures applied against said form, and means to vary the amount and location of such applied pressures.

3. In a shoe upper shaper, a form adapted to fit within the shoe and shaped to facilitate an operation upon the upper, pivotally mounted means to apply localized pressures against selected portions of said form, and adjustable means for regulating the position of said pressing means with relation to said form, effective to vary both the amount and location of pressures applied to the form.

4. In a shoe upper shaper, a form adapted to fit within the shoe and shaped to facilitate an operation upon the upper, pivotally mounted means to apply localized pressures against selected portions of said form, and adjustable means for regulating the position of said pressing means with relation to said form, effective to vary both the amount and location of pressures applied to the form, and means to equalize the pressures applied against the selected portions of said form.

5. In a shoe upper shaping machine, the combination of a form adapted to support a shoe element and shaped to facilitate an operation thereupon, with pressing means for pressing and shaping a shoe element supported by the form, to the contour of said form, said pressing means comprising means for applying major pressures in different directions against the shoe element, said pressing means also comprising auxiliary pressing means, operable in conjunction with the application of major pressures, for applying localized pressures against selected portions of the shoe element, and adjustable means for regulating the position of said main and auxiliary pressing means with relation to said form effective to vary both the amount and location of pressures applied to the form.

6. In a shoe upper shaping machine, the combination of a form adapted to support a shoe element and shaped to facilitate an operation thereupon, with pressing means for pressing and shaping a shoe element supported by the form, to the contour of said form, said pressing means comprising means for applying major pressures in different directions against the shoe element, said pressing means also comprising auxiliary pressing means, operable in conjunction with the application of major pressures, for applying localized pressures against selected portions of the shoe element, adjustable means for regulating the position of said main and auxiliary pressing means with relation to said form effective to vary both the amount and location of pressures applied to the form, and means to equalize the pressures applied against the selected portions of said form.

'7. In a shoe upper shaper, a form adapted to support a shoe and to facilitate an operation upon the upper thereof, said form having a portion contoured to the desired shape of the foot opening of the upper, whereby said upper may be shaped on the form, and a portion notched to receive and accommodate the throat portions of the upper, adjacent said foot opening, and means to apply shaping pressures to said form.

8. In a shoe upper shaper, a form adapted to support a shoe and to facilitate an operation upon the upper thereof, said form having at least a portion contoured generally to the desired shape of the foot opening of the upper, whereby said upper may be shaped on the form, and having a portion constructed to receive the heel portion of the upper and a portion notched to receive and iii accommodate portions of the upper adjacent the forward end of the foot opening, and means to apply shaping pressure to said form.

9. In a shoe upper shaper, a form adapted to support a shoe and to facilitate an operation upon the upper thereof, said form having at least a portion contoured generally to the desired shape of the foot opening of the upper, whereby said upper may be shaped on the 'form, and having a portion constructed to receive the heel portion of the upper and a portion notched to receive and accommodate the throat of'the vamp, and forward parts of the quarters, and means to apply shaping pressures to said form.

10. In a shoe upper shaper, a form adapted to support a shoe and to facilitate an operation upon the upper thereof, said form having a conformation shaped generally to the desired shape of the foot opening in the shoe, and having a portion constructed to receive the heel portion of the upper and a portion notched to receive and accommodate the throat of the vamp, and forward parts of the quarters, and means to apply shaping pressures to the shoe on the form, along the top edge, portions of the upper, and over the forward parts of the quarters.

11. In a shoe upper shaper, a form adapted to support a shoe and to facilitate an operation upon the upper thereof, said form having at least a portion contoured generally to the desired shape of the foot opening of the upper, whereby said upper may be shaped on the form, and having a portion constructed to receive the heel portion of the upper and a portion notched to receive and accommodate portions of the upper adjacent the forward end of the foot opening, the notch being defined in part by a projection extending from the form, for insertion beneath the throat of the vamp, whereby to smoothly support same, and means to apply shaping pressures to said form.

12. In a shoe upperv shaper, a form adapted to support a shoe and to facilitate an operation upon the upper thereof, said form having at least a portion contoured generally to the desired shape of the foot opening of the upper, whereby said, upper may be shaped on the form, and having a portion constructed to receive the heel portion of the upper and a portion notched to receive and accommodate portions of the upper adjacent the forward end of the foot opening, the notch being defined in part by a projection extending from the form in position to engage the tongue of the shoe and hold same out of the way during a pressing operation, and means to apply shaping pressures to said form.

13. In a shoe upper shaper, a form adapted to support a shoe and to facilitate an operation upon the upper thereof, said form having at least a portion contoured generally to the desired shape of the foot opening of the upper,

whereby said upper may be shaped on the form,

and having a portion constructed to receive the heel portion of the upper and a portion notched.

to receive and accommodate portions of the upper adjacent the forward end of the foot opening, the notch being defined by a projection extending from the form for insertion beneath the throat of the vamp, whereby to smoothly support same, and a second projection extending from the form in position to engage the tongue of the shoe and hold same out of the way during a pressing operation, and means to apply shaping pressures to said form.

14. In a shoe upper shaper, a form adapted to supporta shoe and to facilitate an operation upon the upper thereof, said form having at least a portion contoured generally to the desired shape of the foot opening of the upper, whereby said upper may be shaped on the form, and having a portion constructed to receive the heel portion of the upper and a portion notched to receive and accommodate portions of the upper adjacent the forward end of the foot opening, the notch being defined in part by a projection extending from the form in position to engage the tongue of the shoe and hold same out of the way during a pressing operation, said projection having an area shaped and located to support the forward end of a quarter of the upper, during the pressing operation, and means to apply shaping pressures to said form.

15. In a shoe upper shaper, a form adapted to support a shoe and to facilitate an operation upon the upper thereof, said form having at least a portion contoured generally to the desired shape of the foot opening of the upper, whereby said upper may be shaped on the form, and having a portion constructed to receive the heel portion of the upper and a portion notched to receive and accommodate portions of the upper adjacent the forward end of the foot opening, the notch being defined by a projection extending from the form for insertion beneath the throat of the vamp, whereby to smoothly support same, and a second projection extending from the form in position to engage the tongue of the shoe and hold same out of the way during a pressing operation, said second projection having an area shaped and located to support the forward end of a quarter of the upper, during the pressing operation, and means to apply shaping pressures to said form.

16. In a shoe upper shaper, a form adapted to support a shoe and to facilitate an operation upon the upper thereof, said form having at least a portion contoured generally to the desired shape of the foot opening of the upper, whereby said upper may be shaped on the form, and having a portionconstructed to receive the heel portion of the upper, and a downwardly and rearwardly extending projection for insertion beneath the throat of the vamp whereby to smoothly support same, and means to apply shaping pressures to said form.

17. In a shoe upper shaper, a form adapted to support a shoe and to facilitate an operation uponthe upper thereof, said form having at least a portion contoured generally to the desired shape of the foot opening of the upper, whereby said upper may be shaped on the form, and having a portion constructed to receive the heel portion of the upper and a portion notched to receive and accommodate portions of the upper adjacent the forward end of the foot opening, the notch being defined by a projection extending from the form, for insertion beneath the throat of the vamp, and a second projection eXtending from the form, in position to engage the tongue of the shoe and hold same out of the way during a pressing opera-. tion, said first projection being directed toward said second projection and of greater length than said second projection, and means to apply shaping pressures to said form.

18. In a shoe upper shaper, a universal form adapted to support various types of shoe, and to facilitate operations on the uppers thereof, said form having a portion contoured to the desired shape of the foot opening of the upper, whereby said upper may be shaped on the form, a. portion shaped to, receive, support and accommodate the forward end of the quarter of an oxford type of shoe, and a portion shaped and designed to receive and accommodate the tongue of an oxford, the buckle of a. shoe, or the throat of a pump type of shoe, and means to apply shaping pressure to said form.

19. In a shoe upper shaper, a form adapted to support a shoe and to facilitate an operation upon the upper thereof, said form having a conformation shaped generally to the desired shape of the foot opening in the shoe and having a portion constructed to receive the heel portion of the upper and a portion notched to receive and accommodate portions of the upper adjacent the forward end of the foot opening, and universally adjustable gage means adjacent said heel receiving portion, effective to predetermine the position of the shoe on the form.

20. In a shoe upper shaper, a form adapted to fit within a shoe and shaped to facilitate an operation upon the upper thereof, and gage means for predetermining the position of the shoe on the form, comprising a vertically adjustable standard mounted upon the form, and a horizontally adjustable gage pin mounted therein for movement toward and from the upper portion of the form.

21. In a shoe upper shaper, a form shaped to facilitate an operation upon a shoe upper, cooperating outer pressing means pivotally mounted to bear against said form, adjusting means for the pivotal mounting effective to vary the degree of applied pressure between said pressing means and form, and gage means for predetermining the position of the shoe with respect to the form and pressing means, comprising a vertically adjustable member and a horizontally adjustable element mounted therein for movement toward and from the upper portion of the form.

22. In a shoe upper shaper, a form adapted to fit within a shoe and shaped to facilitate an operation upon the upper thereof, a plurality of pressing members mounted relative to said form as to apply pressure against side portions thereof, and gage means for predetermining the position of the shoe on the form, comprising a vertically adjustable member mounted operatively between said pressing members and a horizontally adjustable element mounted in said vertically adjustable member for movement toward and from the form and pressing members.

23. In a shoe upper shaper, a form adapted to support a shoe and to facilitate operations on, the upper thereof, said form having a portion contoured to the desired shape of the foot opening of the upper whereby said upper may be shaped on the form, and having an offset projection located to receive, support and accommodate the vamp throat of the upper, and having a guard portion located in spaced relation to said offset projection for engagement with the tongue of the upper, said guard portion and offset projection providing between them a notch shaped to receive and accommodate the tongue and buckle of an upper.

24. In a shoe upper shaper, a form adapted to support a shoe and to facilitate operations on the upper thereof, said form having a portion contoured to the desired shape of the foot opening of the upper whereby said upper may be shaped on the form, and having an offset projection located to receive, support and accommodate the vamp throat of the upper, and having a guard portion located in spaced relation to said offset projection for engagement with the tongue of the upper, said guard portion and offset projection providing between them a notch shaped to receive and accommodate the tongue and buckle of an upper, and means to apply shaping pressures tov said form over areas of said offset projection and said guard portion.

25. In a shoe upper shaper, a universal form adapted to support various types of shoes, and to facilitate operations on the uppers thereof, said form having a portion contoured to the desired shape of the foot opening of the upper whereby said upper may be shaped on the form, and having an offset projection, said projection being angularly disposed rearwardly of the form, at an angle approximating the spring of an upper, and effective to support the Vamp throat of the upper.

26. In a shoe upper shaper, a form comprising a body shaped to fit within, support and facilitate an operation upon a shoe upper, said form having its sides contoured to the desired shape of the rear and side portions of the upper, including the quarters thereof, and having a portion shaped to receive and support portions of the upper adjacent the forward end of the foot opening thereof, during a shaping operation on the upper, and a guard portion projecting from said body, in spaced relation to said upper supporting portion for engagement with portions of the upper Which are to be held out of the way during said shaping operation, gauge means for locating the upper upon said form, and means to apply shaping pressures to said form.

27. In a shoe upper shaper, a form comprising a body shaped to fit within, support and facilitate an operation upon a shoe upper, said form having its sides contoured to the desired shape of the rear and side portions of the upper, including the quarters thereof, and having a portion shaped to support the throat portions of the upper, adjacent said foot opening, and also to support the forward ends of the quarters of the upper during a shaping operation on the upper, and a guard portion projecting from said body, in spaced relation to said upper supporting portion for engagement with portions of the upper which are to be held out of the way during said shaping operation, gauge means for locating the upper upon said form, and means to apply shaping pressures to said form.

28. In a shoe upper shaper, a form adapted to support a shoe and to facilitate an operation upon the upper thereof, said form having a conformation shaped generally tothe desired shape of the foot opening in the shoe and having an end portion shaped to receive the heel portion of the upper and the other end portion contoured to accommodate elements of the shoe adjacent the forward end of the foot opening, said form being provided with areas located to support the forward portions of the quarters of the uppers and with a guard portion projecting in spaced relation to said last end portion for engagement with portions of the upper which are to be held out of the way during said shaping portion, gauge means for locating the upper upon said form, and means to apply shaping pressures to said form.

29. In a shoe upper shaper, a form adapted to support a shoe and to facilitate an operation upon the upper thereof, said form having a conformation shaped generally to the desired shape of the foot opening in the shoe and having an end portion shaped to receive the heel portion of the upper and the other end portion contoured to accommodate elements of the upper adjacent the forward end of the foot opening, said form being provided with areas located to support the forward portions of the quarters of the uppers, cooperating outer pressing means shaped and mounted to bear against said heel portion and areas as well as the sides of said form, actuating means for said pressing means, including toggle mechanism connected to said pressing means, and means normally acting upon said toggle mechanism to make the toggle, whereby to space said pressing means from said form at all times except when moved by said actuating means.

30. The combination with a pressing element for shoe upper shapers comprising a slightly concave body portion having one end widened to engage the forward and upper portion of the quarter of a shoe and its other end narrowed to engage the rear portion of the quarter and the heel portion of the shoe, actuating means extending from said body portion, of a form cooperating therewith, contoured to the desired shape of the foot opening in the shoe, and provided with a portion effective to support the throat of the foot opening, said form having a notch to receive parts of said upper which are not to be compressed, and the widened end of said pressing element being of such extent as to substantially bridge the notch and adjacent areas.

31. In a shoe upper shaper, a form shaped to support a shoe upper and to facilitate an operation thereon, cooperating outer pressing means mounted to bear against opposite sides of said form simultaneously, whereby the contour of the foot opening of an upper may be shaped to the form, actuating means for said pressing means, means normally to space said pressing means from said form at all times except when moved by said actuating means, and means to equalize the pressures applied to the opposite sides of the form, when the pressing means is moved by said actuating means.

32. In a shoe upper shaper, a form comprising a body shaped to fit within, support and facilitate a shaping operation upon a shoe upper, said form having its sides contoured to the rear and side portions of the upper, including the quarters thereof, and about which said rear and side portions may be draped, and a portion shaped to receive and accommodate other portions of the upper adjacent the forward end of the foot opening thereof, which portions are not to be treated during a shaping operation on the upper, and means to apply pressure toward said form.

33. In a shoe upper shaping machine, a pressing element comprising a slightly concave body portion having one end widened to engage the forward and upper portion of the quarter of a shoe and its other end narrowed to engage the rear portion of the quarter and the heel portion of the shoe, actuating means extending from said body portion, and means to vary the amount and location of pressures applied by said pressing element and actuating means upon a shoe upper in the machine.

34. The method which comprises pressing the inner and outer faces of the opposite sides of a shoe upper together below their upper edges, progressively extending said pressure in an enlarged area toward said edges, and controlling and equalizing the pressures applied at opposite sides of the upper.

35. The method which comprises pressing the top rim of a shoe upper inwardly toward alignment with the lining while shrinking the lining,

while simultaneously equalizing the applied pressures at opposite sides of the shoe upper.

36. The method which comprises pressing the top rim of a shoe upper inwardly toward alignment with the lining while shrinking the lining, simultaneously pressing portions of the upper adjacent the forward end of the foot opening thereof, and simultaneously equalizing the applied pressures at opposite sides of the shoe upper.

37. In a machine for re-forming a shoe provided with closure wings, coacting pressing forms having substantially complementary shaping surfaces for contacting the inner and outer surfaces of the skirting along the top edge of at least one side of the shoe and the wing thereof, at least one of said forms comprising a base portion for contacting the top edge skirting and a wing carried by the base portion for contacting the shoe wing, means to vary both the amount and location of pressures applied by one form to the other, and means effective normally to space said pressing forms apart except when performing a shaping operation.

38. In a machine for re-forming a shoe provided with closure wings, coacting pressing forms having substantially complementary shaping surfaces for contacting the inner and outer surfaces of the skirting along the top edge of at least one side of the shoe and the wing thereof, at least one of said forms comprising a base portion having a molded shaping contour for contacting the top edge skirting and a wing carried by the base portion for contacting the shoe wing, one surface of said form wing being substantially continuous with the shaping contour of the base portion, means to vary both the amount and location of pressures applied by one form to the other, and means effective normally to space said pressing forms apart except when performing a shaping operation.

39. In a machine for re-forming a shoe provided with closure wings, a form over which a shoe may be placed to present within the shoe surfaces for engaging the wings thereof and the side portions of the upper adjacent the shoe opening, a pair of presser elements adapted to engage the outside of the shoe on the wings and on the side portions adjacent the rim of the shoe opening, means for swinging said presser elements laterally of said form into pressing position with respect to said form, means to vary both the amount and location of pressures applied by said presser elements to the form, and means effective normally to space said presser elements from said form at all times except when moved by said swinging means.

40. In a machine for re-forming a shoe provided with closure wings, a form over which a shoe may be placed to present within the shoe surfaces for engaging the wings thereof and the side portions of the upper adjacent the shoe opening, a pair of presser elements adapted to engage the outside of the shoe on the wings and on the side portions adjacent the rim of the shoe opening, means for moving said presser elements along paths, respectively, extending substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the form to press said presser elements toward said form, means to vary both the amount and location of pressures applied by said presser elements to the form, and means effective normally to space said presser elements from said form at all times except when moved by said swinging means.

11. In a machine for re-forming a shoe provided with closure wings, coacting pressing forms having substantially complementary shaping surfaces for contacting the inner and outer surfaces of the skirting along the top edge of at least one side of the shoe and the wing thereof, at least one of said forms comprising a base portion for contacting the top edge skirting and a wing carried by the base portion for contacting the shoe wing, means for swinging said last named form into contact with said top edge skirting and said wing, means to vary both the amount and location of pressures applied by said last named form against said top edge skirting and said Wing, and means efi'ective normally to space said pressing forms apart except when performing a shaping operation.

42. In combination, a form over which the upper of a shoe may be placed, means for pressing the sides of the upper against said form, means for supporting the shoe adjacent to the throat portion of the shoe upper, and means for supporting and holding other portions of the shoe upper which are not to be pressed, out of the 10 path of the pressing means.

BENJAMIN W. FREEMAN. 

